Not actually a '70s label, but worth including as its sole single misleadingly has '1979' on its labels. Ripper was owned by Heavy Metal band Praying Mantis. The 7" version of the single featured two tracks by that band, 'Captured City' and 'Johnny Cool'; there was a 12" version which included an extra track, 'The Ripper'. All three were recorded in the late '70s but were licensed to EMI and were not issued until February 1980. When they came out they were given the catalogue number HAR-5201, which was taken from the series which was used by Harvest - the number was 12HAR-5201 in the case of the 12". Praying Mantis went on to record for Gem, Arista and Jet in the early '80s before splitting. The band was resurrected in the early '90s with an altered line-up and in various incarnations has continued to perform and to release records ever since. Thanks to John Timmis for providing the scan. Demo copies were marked with a medium-sized black 'A' and the appropriate text.
Copyright 2022 Robert Lyons.